Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committees Meeting - December 17, 2025

The standing committees of the Pittsburgh City Council convened to review budget-related public testimony, approve financial settlements, debate property sales and historic designations, and authorize new contracts for public safety and recreation. Key topics included the defense of the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund against potential budget reallocation, a vote to table a major salt storage facility project, and significant discussions regarding the preservation of city-owned historic properties versus development.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting proceeded to a roll call for routine approvals on the Consent Calendar documents, which included multiple financial resolutions and invoices approved without opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dalen Davis (Allentown/Bellevue neighborhoods): Expressed strong opposition to utilizing the Housing Opportunity Fund or Stop the Violence Fund as "gap fillers" for general budget shortfalls. Davis argued these funds were established specifically for housing instability and violence prevention and diverting them undermines core purposes and community trust. Davis also criticized corrupt politics, called for higher ethical standards in the police department, stated that "Lando must go," and emphasized the need for local leadership.
• Lori Kolczynski (BFI Waste Services): Objected to Bill 2025-2385 regarding the transfer station tax amendment. Kolczynski stated the legislation contradicts the city's sustainability goals, exaggerated claims regarding the facility's impact, and ignored existing state permits granted in 2024. She argued the transfer station is vital for waste reduction and sustainability.
• Reverend Robert Teter (Project Destiny): Expressed deep concern regarding proposals to pause funding transfers to the Stop the Violence Fund. Teter argued that relying on the unspent balance and transferring funds to other sources would disrupt the continuity and sustainability of grassroots organizations. He cited the 37% reduction in gun violence as evidence of the fund's success and urged the council to maintain current funding levels.
• Yvonne F. Brown: Criticized council members for tardiness (arriving 10:30 instead of 10:25) and for being distracted by phones while listening to public testimony. Brown stated that council members were not respecting the public and failed to listen to community problems, calling their behavior a negative example for children.
• Ross Teter: Echoed previous speakers by stating strong opposition to taking funds from the Stop the Violence Fund, characterizing such actions as “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Teter argued that community governance and safety must be protected and that removing power from the community is not acceptable.
• Unnamed Speaker: Delivered a lengthy testimony focused on faith and trusting God’s will while recounting personal struggles, including an attempt on their life, and forgiving those involved in the case.
• Unnamed Speaker: Strongly encouraged the council not to use the Housing Opportunity Fund or Stop the Violence Fund to resolve fiscal challenges. The speaker argued that diverting these funds undermines their purposes regarding housing instability and violence prevention, noting that recent declines in violent crime rely on consistency and trust.

Discussion Items

Bill 2614 - 2618 (Litigation Settlements): Approved resolutions authorizing payments under $5,000 to settle litigation with the Manker Estate, Jordan Estate, and Sabrina Kite (§2614-2616). Approved professional services agreements for building department training (§2617). Approved the repeal of property sale items due to buyer non-completion (§2618), confirming properties are forfeited and returned to the market.

Bill 2619 (Tax Sale Properties): A contentious discussion arose regarding the sale of tax-sale properties owned by LLCs. Councilmembers Wilson, Cale Smith, and Warwick raised concerns about out-of-town investors buying properties in their districts, potentially driving up rents or leaving lots vacant. Councilwoman Warwick noted that she could strike sales in her district if she felt uncertain about the buyer. Councilman Wilson moved to delete items C and D (property in the South East area) and later strike items G and H (properties linked to LLCs from Florida and Virginia), which passed by voice vote. The bill was subsequently approved as amended.

Bill 2621 (Debt Management Policy): Councilwoman Gross requested a one-week hold to review the updated Debt Management Policy (Bill 2621), stating she could not vote on fiscal policy without reading the text. The motion to hold the bill for one week passed.

Bill 2632 (Property Tax Rate): Held for a public hearing on December 20th. Councilman requested a legal opinion on the legality of the tax increase percentage, which the Law Department had already been asked to review.

Bill 2636 (REACH Program Contract): Approves a $6 million contract with Center that Cares (REACH) for group violence intervention. Multiple speakers, including Councilmembers Wilson, Warwick, and Coghill, expressed strong support for the program, citing specific instances where they personally witnessed REACH staff de-escalating violence. Councilwoman Cale Smith sought clarification on prohibitions regarding political speech by contract recipients, which the Public Safety Director noted is not currently in the contract but could be added.

Salt Storage Facility (Bill 2583): Tabled the motion to authorize a $6.9 million contract for a new salt storage facility. Councilman Wilson expressed opposition to the spending during a tight budget, suggesting existing facilities be used with tarps. Councilman Coghill voiced support for the tabled motion to further assess the condemned dome and ensure proper location selection.

8th Street Vacation (Bill 2583): Approved a resolution to vacate 8th Street for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. A verbal amendment was added to explicitly authorize a public access easement for pedestrians and safety vehicles, correcting an omission from the original text where the intention existed only in the preamble. Councilman Wilson noted the land would remain private property, but the easement ensures access.

Bill 2333 (Historic Designation): Defeated (1 Aye, 6 No, 2 Abstain). The motion to designate the former Police Station No. 3 in the Strip District as a historic site was voted down. Councilman Wilson recommended a "no" vote, arguing for an RFP process to determine the building's future use rather than a historic designation that might deter developers. Councilwoman Gross expressed strong support for the designation to protect city history and prevent the demolition of a city-owned asset. Councilwoman Cale Smith noted the emotional weight of displacement from historic sites but deferred to Wilson regarding his district's needs.

Bill 2467 (Zoning Districts): Held for one week for further review of the West End Trolley Trail Accessory Parking District.

Pogo Bike Expansion (Bill 2628): Approved an application for a state grant to expand the POGO bike-share program. Councilwoman Warwick expressed strong support, calling the expansion a potential “transformer” for the city’s economic well-being and a way to reduce car dependency. Councilman Coghill voiced strong support but noted the lack of stations in District 4 and the need for better connectivity to the T-line. Councilwoman Gross endorsed the expansion, highlighting the need for stations at destinations to allow longer rides.

Facility Usage Agreements: Approved agreements with Bell-Silver, Voices Against Violence, Oz and M, Josh Gibson Foundation, Mount Washington Community Center, and Shadow Student Athletes to use city recreation centers. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the volunteer staff and community work of these organizations, with some suggesting the city should consider providing direct staff support to these nonprofits in the future.

Housing Opportunity Fund (Bill 2510): Approved the 2026 allocation plan despite initial calls to hold. Councilman Lavelle urged members to approve the plan to allow the URA to continue operations, noting that while the fund is under pressure, it provides significant cost savings. Councilman Coghill expressed strong support for the fund, stating it is one of the last places he would cut.

Key Outcomes

• Held for Public Hearing: Bill 2385 (Transfer Station Tax), Bill 1964 (Sewage Plan), and Bill 2510 was approved with a note to revisit if cuts occur later.
• Held for Further Review: Bill 2632 (Tax Rate) held one week for final vote; Bill 2621 (Debt Policy) held one week for final review.
• Tabled: Bill 2583 (Salt Storage Facility) tabled to assess the condemned dome and budget priorities.
• Approved with Amendment: Bill 2583 (8th Street Vacation) approved with added public access easement language; Bill 2619 (Tax Sales) approved with items C, D, G, and H struck.
• Defeated: Bill 2333 (Historic Designation for Police Station No. 3) voted 1-6 against.
• Approved: Bill 2636 (REACH Contract at $6M), Bill 2628 (POGO Grant Application), Bills 2608-2613 (Recreation Center Agreements), and Bills 2614-2618 (Litigation Settlements and Property Sales).
• Budget Clarification (Council President Lavelle): Explicitly stated the council is not defunding the Stop the Violence Fund. While the annual transfer from the General Fund to the Stop the Balance Fund will be paused or reduced (proposing a 5 million transfer instead of the full 10 million) to manage cash flow due to unspent balances, all current services funded by the Trust will continue. The 5 million remaining unspent will be reallocated to fleet maintenance or returned in future fiscal years.
• Meeting Announcements: Scheduled a cable cast post-agenda on homelessness (Dec 18), line item vote on 2026 budget (Dec 20), special standing committees meeting (Dec 21), and special regular meeting (Dec 21). Regular meetings scheduled for Dec 22.